General Information

Serial #

5057

Part Number

1

Total Parts

1

AKA

N/A

Patents

N/A

General Description

Nickel-plated pressed steel housing and cast iron sole plate. Nickel-plated metal handle, heel stand, and plug guard. Wooden hand grip.

Dimensions

Note: These reflect the general size for storage and are not necessarily representative of the object's true dimensions.

Length

19.8 cm

Width

10.0 cm

Height

13.1 cm

Thickness

N/A

Weight

N/A

Diameter

N/A

Volume

N/A

Lexicon

Group

Domestic Technology

Category

Laundry

Sub-Category

N/A

Manufacturer

AKA

National Electric

Country

Canada

State/Province

Ontario

City

Toronto

Context

Country

Unknown

State/Province

Unknown

Period

Unknown

Canada

Part of the Ontario Hydro collection donated to the museum in 1992. Ontario Hydro received it from Mr. Peterman and accessioned it into their collection in 1964. An example of an iron sold by a hydro generating company, in this case the Toronto Hydro-Electric System. Hydro companies often opened their own stores to encourage customers to purchase electric appliances and therefore consume more electricity.

Function

Used to press flat and/or remove wrinkles from fabrics.

Technical

The electric iron was invented in 1882, by Howard Seely. Seely patented his electric flatiron on June 6, 1882 (U.S. Patent no. 259,054). Early electric irons used a carbon arc to create heat, which was an unsafe method. In 1892, hand irons using electrical resistance were introduced by Crompton and Company and the General Electric Company. During the 1950s, electric steam irons were introduced.

Area Notes

Unknown

Details

Markings

Rectangular mfr.'s plate on heel stand reads: 'TORONTO HYDRO-ELECTRIC SYSTEM/ 226 YONGE TORONTO, ONT./ MODEL B/ VOLTS 115 AMP. 5.5 NO. 5057/ MANUFACTURED BY/ THE NATIONAL ELECTRIC HEATING CO. LIMITED/ TORONTO, ONT.'. Mfr.'s mark stamped on handle reads: 'MADE IN CANADA'. Light blue sticker on proper left side of iron reads: ‘MG3-37’.

Missing

Electrical cord From CA of 04/06/1994 by Tony Missio: Yes - no cord

Finish

Polished nickel finish on housing, sole plate, handle, heel stand and plug guard. Wooden hand grip enamelled black. Unfinished brass mfr.'s plate with black background and brass lettering.

Decoration

N/A